Archive for day: Thursday, October 1st, 2015

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made your way through several rounds of interviews and have finally been offered the position! Although it might seem like the difficult part is behind you, it’s time to look ahead to what will be expected of you as a new hire. The first few months of a new job is a critical time period as your performance will set the precedent for how you will be perceived by your manager and colleagues moving forward.
To ensure you are seen as a dependable employee from the start, try employing a combination of the following seven strategies:
Be personable
When establishing a connection with someone in a new environment, first impressions can go a long way. As a new hire, how you interact with colleagues can make a huge difference in how they learn about your professional side. Therefore, if you want to be seen as a likable employee, simple gestures like smiling when you say “Hello” or engaging in an appropriate level of conversation at someone’s desk, will help you build a rapport with the people you work with.
Be proactive
One of the qualities a manager looks out for in a new hire is their commitment to learning the business and how their role adds value to the team. Therefore, showing you have a proactive work ethic and are truly invested in doing well could go a long way with your manager and team members. Some of the ways you can emphasize this include regularly beating deadlines, repeatedly going above and beyond in your duties, or learning new skills as they relate to your role.
Be a volunteer
Volunteering to collaborate with different team members is a practical way to build trust amongst those you work with. Whether it involves working with members outside of your team on various projects, or taking on tasks others may not want, this willingness to act as a helpful member of the team will be noted. You certainly want to make sure that your immediate responsibilities are taken care of first before helping co-workers, so use your time efficiently.
Be accountable
When starting a new job, there is usually a learning curve to adjust to. While mistakes can be inevitable, showing that you are accountable for the work you produce is a sign of a mature and confident professional. If you keep this up in the long run, it will prove that you are capable of independently managing projects and other employees.
Be creative
Creativity and the ability to contribute new ideas are qualities that managers appreciate in all of their employees. As a new hire, you should seize every opportunity to share your opinion. For instance, suggesting ways to simplify a process, or coming up with a solution to a reoccurring problem, shows that you’re actively trying to make a difference on your team. Keep in mind, being too critical—especially as a new hire—when offering your ideas can rub people the wrong way, so think about the most appropriate times to share your thoughts.
Be a concise communicator
Although ‘effective communication’ is a skill used frequently in job requirements, many professionals still have difficulty communicating in a clear and concise manner. Therefore, during your first weeks of a new job, respond to emails promptly without error, ask detailed questions before beginning new projects, and keep an open line of communication with your manager. These are little ways to build a reputation as a strong communicator.
Be a good listener
If you want to be accepted as a strong communicator, being a good listener is the first step to getting there. Active listening can include verbal cues (e.g., tone of voice, asking questions, etc.) or nonverbal cues (e.g., body language, facial expressions, etc.). These cues will show your manager and colleagues that you are engaged with your work and you’re focused on delivering strong results. The more you practice active listening, the more likely you are to improve your working relationships or your overall job performance.

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The Execu|Search Group is a leading recruitment, temporary staffing, and workforce management solutions firm with offices throughout the U.S. Whether you're a professional interested in making your next move, or an employer looking to improve your hiring strategy, we're here to help!